APStar 6B

APStar-6B is a communication satellite built as potential backup for the APStar-6 satellite.

To minimize its potential losses, APT secured a commitment from launch-services supplier China Great Wall Industry Corp. (CGWIC) of Beijing that, in the event of an APStar-6 launch failure, CGWIC would design, build and launch an Apstar-6B satellite for $120 million.

Insurance and other charges would bring the cost of Apstar-6B to $165 million. Apstar-6B would use China's DFH-4 satellite design and carry 28 C-band and 16 Ku-band transponders.

After the successful launch of APStar-6, APStar 6B was to be launched in 2008 to enhance the APT satellite system, but apparently APT did not execise the option and the satellite was cancelled in 2006.